Handling

[dusty-monkey]

I've had sebastian for about 3 weeks now and he's had 1 succseful feeding and I've been wondering when i can start handling him again! I was holding him a little bit the first few days i got him but he quickly went into shed and I didn't really mess with him since then besides to feed him and I've been wondering if i can start taking him out? I've heard alot of different people say different things when it come to handling them and i'm at a loss of what to do.

[Inknsteel]

How big is he and how often are you attempting to feed? I generally leave my new additions alone in their tubs until I get two or three successful feeding attempts in a row. I feed babies every 5-7 days, so that's usually about two weeks for mine.

[RoseyReps]

I would say if he takes the next meal for you without issue, wait 24-48hrs after that then you can start short handling sessions. If he stops eating, stop handling. My opinion anyways

[3skulls]

I wait 48 hours after feeding. If they have to be moved to get a water bowl or something, that's fine, be gentle.

When I get a new one, I'll give them a few days to settle in. I will pick them up to check health, give a look over etc.

After a week or two of doing that, start off slow and learn to read your snake. If it seems stressed put it up.

I had my little het Clown girl out all the time, never seemed stressed, never went off feed. She pounds rats and always want to come out now.

There are always general guidelines but..
I think it's more up to the snake and not any set in stone rule. They are all different.

[SylverTears]

I usually wait longer for my baby snakes because I've has regurgitation issues due to the stress of handling. The general rule is 24 hours, longer if they eat a bigger meal.

[Inknsteel]

I'm still curious about how often the OP is offering food. After 3 weeks, I would normally have 3 or 4 successful feedings, so I think before we go telling the OP to start handling, we should probably make sure the environment is correct and that they are up on proper care and feeding. Can you give us some more information about the snake or the setup?

[arialmt]

"Dude, they live for 20+ years, there's no rush here." That's what used to tell myself.

[dusty-monkey]

I found out that he only eats live pinkies... i try'd dead ones for about 2 weeks and nothing happend and as soon as i put a live on in his tank he snatched it within 20-30 seconds... litterally.... I'm going to feed him tomorrow ( I'm have him on a schedual for saturdays).... he's probably a little under 2 feet long now

[dusty-monkey]

my main concern is that he wont be used to being handled and he will get agressive or somthing.... he's been really active for the past week... even as i'm typing hes hanging off his humidity gauge and moving around everywhere hahaha

[Inknsteel]

Pinky mice or rats? Sounds like your ball python is a baby. Even as babies, pinky mice are too small for a ball python. They can easily take hoppers or small adult mice straight out of the egg.

I think we need more information about your enclosure to speculate why he's acting like he is. It could be that he's just hungry, but it could also be a sign of environmental stress. I don't want to make assumptions, so here are a few questions to help us better assess the living environment.

What type of enclosure is the snake in? (glass tank, plastic tub, PVC display enclosure, rack system, etc...)
How are you heating the environment?
Do you have a thermostat, rheostat or dimmer hooked to the heat source?
Are you measuring your temperatures with a digital thermometer, temp gun, stick-on dial thermometers from the pet store?
Where are the thermometers placed?
What are the temperatures on the hot side? Cool side? Humidity levels?
What substrate are you using?
Are you providing hides on both ends of the enclosure?
A picture of the setup might help with some of this...

Your ball python isn't going to get aggressive for lack of handling, so nothing to worry about there.